Music career

Bastard and Goblin (2009–2011)

Tyler in April 2011.

On December 25, 2009, Tyler self-released his first album, Bastard. The album was eventually ranked 32nd on Pitchfork Media's list of the Top Albums of 2010. On February 11, 2011, Tyler released the music video for "Yonkers," the first single from his second album, Goblin, which was released May 10, 2011.[16] The video has received attention from several online media outlets.[17][18][19][20] An extended version with a third verse can be purchased on iTunes.[21]

After the release of "Yonkers," Tyler announced that he had signed a one-album deal with XL Recordings.[22] Tyler and fellow OF member Hodgy Beats made their television debut on February 16, 2011 when they performed "Sandwitches" on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.[23] On March 16, Tyler and Hodgy performed "Yonkers" and "Sandwitches" on the 2011 mtvU Woodie Awards, being joined by other members of Odd Future during "Sandwitches". Goblin was released on May 10, 2011. During an interview with Tyler for Interview,Waka Flocka Flame expressed his interest in collaborating with the Odd Future frontman to direct a music video for him.[24]

Wolf and Loiter Squad (2012–present)

Tyler first mentioned the album in early 2010 saying that he would have an album titled Wolf. In early 2011 he told fans through his Formspring account that his third album would be called Wolf and it is scheduled to be released in May 2012. The album will continue Tyler's sessions with his fictional therapist, Dr. TC, as hinted by the title track on his first album, Bastard, in which Dr. TC says "this is the first of three sessions..." Tyler's third album Wolf, released on April 2, 2013, contains the instrumentals that Tyler has been making since the age of 15.[25] In August 2011, Tyler said that the album will be more focused on beats and have less rapping.

Tyler initially announced in early 2011, after Los Angeles hip hop collective Odd Future announced that they will get their own TV show called Loiter Squad. It wasn't until September 8, 2011 that the show was finally confirmed as a 15-minute live action show composed of various sketches, man on the street segments, pranks and music made by OF. Dickhouse Productions, the production partnership that created Jackass, is scheduled to produce the show. The show premiered on March 25, 2012. Tyler has also directed music videos, acted in two roles, and also done work as a graphic artist.[2]

On February 14, 2013, OFWGKTA uploaded a video to their YouTube account, which includes L-Boy skydiving and stating that Wolf will be released on April 2, 2013. The same day Tyler would reveal the three album covers via his Instagram.[27] Through March and April Tyler will tour North America and Europe on the Wolf Tour.[27] The first single from the album was released on February 14, 2013, titled "Domo23" along with the music video which features cameos from Domo Genesis, Earl Sweatshirt, Jasper Dolphin and Taco Bennett.[28] On February 26, 2013, Tyler performed the songs "Domo23" and "Treehome95" on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.[29]

On January 31, 2014, Tyler was reported to be recording with Mac DeMarco.[30]

Criticism

Tyler has been criticized for his use of homophobic slurs, in particular, his frequent use of the epithet faggot in his lyrics and on Twitter.[31][32] He has denied accusations of homophobia, stating, "I'm not homophobic. I just say faggot and use gay as an adjective to describe stupid shit,"[33][34] and, "I'm not homophobic. I just think faggot hits and hurts people."[35] However, he later said in an interview with MTV about the slurs, "Well, I have gay fans and they don't really take it offensive, so I don't know. If it offends you, it offends you. If you call me a nigger, I really don't care, but that's just me, personally. Some people might take it the other way; I personally don't give a shit."[36][37] Despite making several remarks that were taken as homophobic, Tyler, The Creator was the first to openly show support for fellow Odd Future member Frank Ocean along with Russell Simmons after Ocean revealed he had a relationship with another young man.[38]

A series of three commercials for Mountain Dew directed by Tyler created controversy in May 2013, accused of using "racial stereotypes" and "making light of violence against women." In the spots an energy drink-loving goat character called "Felicia the Goat" is consecutively being "scapegoated" in a diner, in prison and on the road. During the 60-second ad in prison, a battered white woman on crutches examines a police line-up consisting of several African American men and one goat, while the goat antagonizes the woman. Syracuse professor and social critic Dr. Boyce Watkins stated that the ad was "arguably the most racist commercial in history". PepsiCo pulled the ad and apologized. Tyler released a statement claiming that the ad was not meant to "spark a controversy about race" and that "it was simply an, again, admittedly absurd story that was never meant to be taken seriously."[46][47][48]

Legal issues

On December 22, 2011, Tyler was arrested during a show at the Roxy Theatre in West Hollywood, and charged with "suspicion of vandalism" for alleged destruction of sound equipment belonging to the venue. He was released on $20,000 bail.[1][49]

Feuds

In the song "Yonkers", Tyler disses numerous artists, such as rappers/singers B.o.B and Bruno Mars, and Hayley Williams, frontwoman of band Paramore. Tyler, The Creator also disses Bruno Mars in The Game's song "Martians vs. Goblins", in which he and Lil Wayne are featured artists. In response, B.o.B released a similar diss track, entitled "No Future" that also references Tyler's group, Odd Future. Ironically, Tyler praised the song, and initially did not think it was a diss track. Bruno Mars, in response to the verse "stab Bruno Mars in his goddamn esophagus," said, "[Tyler] has to wait in line if he wants to stab me...[Tyler's] definitely not the first guy that's said something like that to me and he's not going to be the last."[52] Los Angeles rapper Hopsin also dissed him in his "Ill Mind of Hopsin 4" music video, released in July 2011. As a response, he was parodied in the "Martians vs. Goblins" music video.

Tyler, The Creator and R&B singer Chris Brown feuded due to claims Brown tweeted of Odd Future's music containing a "demonic" message. Tyler had made several sarcastic remarks via Twitter afterwards, leading to a heated feud between the two musicians. Before a live performance alongside Frank Ocean, Tyler, The Creator called out Chris Brown, referring to Brown's savage beating of fellow musician Rihanna. Afterwards, Brown and Tyler cleared up the feud when Tyler tweeted that he is a fan of Chris Brown's song "Look At Me Now" featuring Lil Wayne and Busta Rhymes. According to Tyler, The Creator there are things "[his fans] don't even know" about the feud.[53]

Tyler has also feuded with former collaborator Brandun DeShay. Prior to SXSW 2011, DeShay confronted Tyler through Formspring and said that he was going to "settle this" at SXSW. Tyler has since told fans that the only song they ever collaborated on was "Session", from Tyler's debut album Bastard. Tyler re-released the album one year after its initial release, replacing Brandun DeShay's verse with a new one by Mike G. Tyler has since said that any other song performed by the two of them were created by DeShay, and that he recorded verses over Tyler's songs without his permission. According to Tyler, DeShay hit him at one point. Tyler also disses DeShay in his song "Yonkers", by bragging about his own success and publicity.[54]

Through Formspring, Tyler has also said that he does not like Vince Staples, although he praised his rapping abilities.[55] Vince has collaborated with several members of Odd Future, notably Earl Sweatshirt, Mike G, Domo Genesis & The Jet Age of Tomorrow. In 2011, Tyler said that he does not dislike Staples, but he dislikes the fact that people think he is a part of Odd Future when he is not actually in the group.[56] In an interview, Vince Staples claimed that people took the beef way too seriously and that the two barely even know each other.[57]